RJ BARNABAS HELP, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF NEW, LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR NEW JERSEY.

FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIAND FOR NOSY.

>> I AM JOANNA GARRIGUS.

THE COUNTRY WOKE UP TO HORRIFIC IMAGES THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO SHOW YOU AND I WILL WARN YOU, THEY ARE GRAPHIC.

UKRAINIAN CIVILIANS WAITING AT A PACKED STATION TO ESCAPE THEIR WAR-TORN CITY SLAUGHTERED WHEN MISSILES EXPLODED ON THE STATION KILLING AT LEAST 50 PEOPLE INCLUDING CHILDREN AND INJURING 100 MORE.

RUSSIA HAS DENIED THE ATTACK BUT, TODAY, BUT AMIR ZELENSKY SAID BRUSH IN A MILITARY ASSAULT ON CIVILIANS DISCOVERED AND PRIYANKA ARE QUOTE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE DREADFUL THAN WHAT WE SAW EARLIER THIS WEEK FROM ABUJA WHERE UKRAINIANS WERE RAPED, TORTURED AND KILLED.

RUSSIA DENIES THIS, TOO.

THE PRESS SECRETARY ONLY COMMITTED TO SUFFERING SIGNIFICANT LOSSES TO ITS TROOPS BUT SAYS IT WILL SOON CONTROL THE CITY OF MARIO.

AND CONCERN GROWING HOME OF A POSSIBLE RUSSIAN CYBER ATTACK.

RIHANNA SAT DOWN WITH DORIAN, DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO TALK ABOUT CYBER ARREST AND OTHER TOP THREATS FACING THE STATE.

DIRECTOR, I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH THE SITUATION IN RUSSIA.

THERE IS THIS EXPECTATION THAT THIS WAR IS NOT ONLY GOING TO PLAY OUT ON THE GROUND BUT ALSO ONLINE WITH CYBER ATTACKS.

HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU AND HOW CONCERNED IS YOUR OFFICE ABOUT THE POTENTIAL THREAT HERE FOR AN ATTACK ON INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE OUR POWER GRIDS, WATER, THINGS OF THAT NATURE?

>> LET ME START SAYING RIGHT UP FRONT THAT WE HAVE NO CREDIBLE UNKNOWN THREAT AGAINST NEW JERSEY AND SO, JUST TO PUT THAT RIGHT UP THERE SO EVERYONE IS AWARE THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING THAT WILL INDICATE THERE IS ANY KIND OF ATTACK FROM ANYONE AT THIS POINT INCLUDING RUSSIA AND ANY OTHER THREAT ACTORS.

WE ARE OF COURSE OBVIOUSLY AS A PART OF BEING CAUTIOUS AND BEING VIGILANT, WE ALWAYS REMAIN VIGILANT WITH REGARD TO CYBER SECURITY AND ALSO FOR THE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PIECE.

WITH THAT, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS THE BEST INFORMATION POSSIBLE TO BE PREPARED IN THE EVENT THAT IF ANYTHING WERE TO HAPPEN AND WE ARE MONITORING THE SITUATION VERY CLOSELY AND WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SO THAT THEY ARE ALSO, WE ARE ALL KEEPING IN TOUCH SO THAT EVERYONE IS AWARE OF EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON.

BACK YOUR OFFICE JUST RECENTLY PUT OUT THE LATEST THREAT ASSESSMENT.

THIS IS AN ANNUAL REPORT THAT WE TAKE A LOOK AT.

WHICH GROUPS DIRECTOR POSE THE BIGGEST LEVEL OF THREAT TO NEW JERSEY?

>> THIS YEAR, WE HAVE THREE THINGS THAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON AND CONSIDER THE HIGHEST THREAT.

ONE WOULD BE CYBER SECURITY IN THE RECENTLY SAID THAT IS BECAUSE MOSTLY RELATED TO GEOPOLITICAL ISSUES AND THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON AND ALSO SOCIAL ENGINEERING IS SOMETHING THAT WE ALSO FIND, WE SEE A LOT MORE OF THAT ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PANDEMIC, A LOT MORE THINGS HAVE GONE ONLINE AND PEOPLE ARE WORKING THAT WAY.

AND CAVIAR AND WITH THAT, HOMEGROWN VIOLENT EXTREMISTS ALSO KNOWN AS HBE'S AND WHITE RACIALLY MOTIVATED EXTREMISTS ARE ALSO OTHER THREATS.

HAVE WE SEEN THAT CHANGE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, SPECIFICALLY, DURING THIS PANDEMIC?

ARE THOSE THREAT LEVELS HEIGHTENED?

>> WITH REGARD TO THE HBE'S AND WHITE RACIALLY MOTIVATED EXTREMISTS, THAT IS THE SAME WE HAVE HAD RECENTLY.

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WAS A VERY UNFORTUNATE SITUATION FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE AND, UNFORTUNATELY, IN SOME OF THESE GROUPS AND IDEOLOGIES, THAT TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION TO PROVIDE REVISED THEMSELVES AND TO RECRUIT ONLINE.

THEY STILL REMAIN AT THE SAME THREAT LEVEL THAT THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY BUT THIS YEAR, WE ADDED THE CYBER SECURITY PIECE ON TOP OF IT.

TECHNOLOGY INVOLVED WHICH HAS REQUIRED US TO INCREASE THAT THREAT LEVEL.

BACK TALK TO ME ABOUT THIS NEW DISINFORMATION PORTAL.

WHAT ROLE IS DISINFORMATION PLAYING IN RECRUIT AND PROCESSES?

>> IN GENERAL, AS YOU SAW DURING COVID-19, THERE WAS A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT WAS LOADING AROUND THAT HAD A LOT OF INACCURACIES AND WE HAD DISINFORMATION PORTAL FOCUSING ON COVID-19.

BASICALLY, FOR EXAMPLE, WE KNOW WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IN EXTREMIST CIRCLES, YOU MIGHT HAVE PEOPLE TALKING IN THE RUSSIAN UKRAINIAN SITUATION WITH DEEP FACE.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE HAVE SEEN ONLINE WHERE SUPPOSEDLY IT IS THE LEADER OF UKRAINE SPEAKING WHERE IN FACT, IT IS NOT HIM.

SOMEONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO TECHNOLOGICALLY MANIPULATE HOW THAT IS DONE AND SO WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS, WE ARE GIVING PEOPLE TIPS TO BE ABLE TO DISCERN WHAT IS ACCURATE AND WHAT IS NOT YOUR >> THE DIRECTOR OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND PREPAREDNESS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, TODAY YOUR >>> IT HAS BEEN SEVEN MONTHS SINCE THE DEADLY TROPICAL STORM IDA HIT NEW JERSEY AND KILLED 30 RESIDENTS.

IT DISPLACED HUNDREDS MORE FROM THEIR HOMES LEAVING THEM WITHOUT ALTERNATIVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

A NEW INJECTION OF STATE FUNDS COULD HELP TAKE SOME OF THOSE DAMAGED HOMES.

BRENDA FLANAGAN TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT HOW THE MONEY COULD HELP THOSE WHO HAVE LOST EVERYTHING.

>> IT JUST BRINGS ME BACK TO THAT DAY.

AND THEN, IF I AM BY MYSELF, I REALLY FREAK OUT.

>> EVERY TIME IT RAINS, STEVENS SHUDDERS AND PULLS DOWN THE BLINDS.

RAIN BRINGS DIFFICULT MEMORIES OF TROPICAL STORM IDA AND THE STORM THAT RIPPED OPEN HER APARTMENT LAST SEPTEMBER, THROWING HER AGAINST THE WALL FOR SALT.

>> WHEN I OPENED UP THAT DOOR, THE WATER JUST WHOOSH!

CAME IN.

AND THE FIREMEN PUSHED ME TO THE BACK.

>> STEVENS BARELY ESCAPED FLOATING PAST CARS, SHE STILL IS HAUNTED BY THE SCREAMS OF OTHER TENANTS.

>> I HEAR PEOPLE SAY PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME BUT I COULDN'T.

>> I DOUGH DROWNED -- STEVENS RETURNED DAYS LATER TO FIND HER APARTMENT TOTALLY WRECKED, UNINHABITABLE.

IDA LEFT ALMOST 600 TENANTS HOMELESS, DESPERATE AND ANGRY.

MANY ENDED UP IN HOTELS INCLUDING STEVENS WHO ONLY MANAGED TO SALVAGE A FEW WATER SOAKED FAMILY PHOTOS.

ACT THAT IS MY FATHER.

THAT IS ME WHEN I WAS YOUNGER.

>> IN ENGLEWOOD, IDA ALSO FORCED OUT SOME 200 RESIDENTS FROM THE SENIOR CITIZENS BUILDING INCLUDING 76-YEAR-OLD ELSA WHO IS NOW LIVING WITH HER OLDER SISTER.

>> IT HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND AN AFFORDABLE RENTAL AT THIS TIME.

>> LIVE CREWS TRANSLATED FOR HER AND TO WAS FORCED TO ABANDON ALL OF HER BELONGINGS ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF THE THAMES BUILDING.

SHE SAYS TENANTS WHO QUALIFY FOR SECTION 8 AFFORDABLE HOUSING VOUCHERS DISCOVERED NOT EVERY LANDLORD WANTS THE THEM AS A TENANT.

>> THERE IS STILL AN ISSUE OF TAKING SECTION 8 VOUCHERS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE.

BUT THIS IS STILL A SIGNIFICANT BARRIER.

BACK WE JUST EXPERIENCED FLOODING IN AREAS OUTSIDE OF OUR FLOOD ZONES DURING THAT STORM AND THOUSANDS OF UNITS, HOUSING ACROSS THE STATE, ALL DIFFERENT CATEGORIES WERE IMPACTED.

>> MELANIE WALKER HEADS THE HOUSING MORTGAGE AND FINANCE AGENCY AND SAYS IDA DISPLACED MORE THAN 1000 AFFORDABLE HOUSING RESIDENTS AND MANY HAVE NOT GONE HOME BECAUSE HOME IS STILL A MESS.

DEVELOPERS DID NOT HAVE GOOD INSURANCE AND COULD NOT REPAIR DAMAGED UNITS.

THE GOOD NEWS, FUNDING TO SPEED HOME REHABS IN THE PIPELINE WITH $228 MILLION FROM HUD.

ANOTHER $25 MILLION FROM THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION, SPECIFICALLY TARGETING 100% AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS ESPECIALLY PLACES LIKE THAMES AND OAKWOOD WITH MORE THAN 40 UNITS AND THAT WILL MAKE THEM MORE RESILIENT TO FUTURE FLOODS.

>> THAT WILL RE-OUTFIT THE UNITS AND PUT BACK IN ALL OF THE APPLIANCES, THE WALLS, THE ENTRYWAYS THAT WERE DAMAGED.

>> WALTER SAYS THEY HAVE GOTTEN SEVEN APPLICATIONS ALREADY TO REHAB ABOUT 545 UNITS.

ADVOCATES APPLAUDED THE STATE STEPPING UP.

>> THE BIG PROBLEM IS WE HAVE A BIG SHORTAGE OF HOUSING.

WE DON'T HAVE A BIG SURPLUS.

WHEN THE STORM HITS OAKWOOD, IT'S NOT LIKE THERE IS EXTRA AFFORDABLE HOUSING WAITING FOR PEOPLE TO GO TO.

BACK STEVENS WAS APPROVED FOR SECTION 8 HOUSING AND GOT THIS APARTMENT IN ELIZABETH.

IT IS A ONE-YEAR LEASE BUT SHE SAYS SHE DOESN'T WANT TO STAY HERE.

BUT SHE WON'T GO BACK TO OAKWOOD PLAZA EITHER ALTHOUGH THE OWNER SAYS IT PLANS TO APPLY FOR FUNDS TO REHAB 300 AFFORDABLE UNITS SAYING WE CONTINUE TO REMEDIATE AND REBUILD AND OUR GOAL IS TO RETURN FAMILIES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BUT IT IS TOO MANY MEMORIES FOR STEVENS.

AND SO I HAD TO START GOING TO THERAPY BECAUSE I AM TRAUMATIZED BY IT.

>> EVERY TIME IT RAINS.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

ACT A SUSPECTED CANCER CLUSTER COULD BE TIED TO COLONIAL HIGH SCHOOL IN WOODBRIDGE, THE NUMBERS HAVE RISEN FROM ABOUT 80 TO MORE THAN 90 PEOPLE WITH A CANCER DIAGNOSIS WHO COULD BE TIED TO THIS CLUSTER.

THE WOODBRIDGE TOWN COUNCIL APPROVED TWO EMERGENCY RESOLUTIONS EARLIER THIS WEEK TO BEGIN RADIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AFTER RESIDENT ALDO BIONDO ALERTED THE MAYOR THAT THE COULD BE HAZARDOUS MATERIAL ON THE GROUNDS OF COLONIAL HIGH.

THE TESTING WILL BEGIN THIS WEEKEND AND WE WILL CONTINUE FOR TWO WEEKS.

IT WILL COST WOODBRIDGE OVER $221,000 PER FRANK MALONE HELD A CALL EARLIER THIS WEEK WITH SEVERAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES AND ASKED THAT BOTH THE STATE AND THE US ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCIES COVER THE COST OF THOSE STUDIES ACCORDING TO SOMEONE ON THE CALL.

MALONE SAID HE WILL HOLD THE AGENCIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR TIMELY AND THOROUGH ANALYSIS.

CHALLENGES ARE GEARING UP FOR THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY IN JUNE AND THIS ELECTION IS TURNING OUT NO SHORTAGE OF CONSPIRACY THEORIES ON FEAR MONGERING MESSAGES FROM CANDIDATES.

SOME DECLARING THAT WHITE SUPREMACY DOESN'T EXIST.

OTHERS CHAMPIONING THE STOLEN ELECTION MANTRA AND SOME SAYING THAT JANUARY 6 INSURRECTION WAS THE WORK OF THE FBI.

ONE EVEN BEING ARRESTED FOR A DWI.

IN THE PAST, MESSAGING LIKE THIS WOULD HAPPEN ON THE FRINGES OF AN ELECTION BUT, THIS YEAR, IT IS MUCH MORE MAINSTREAM.

JEFF PELLET JOINS ME NOW TO TALK IT THROUGH.

WHO ARE SOME OF THE CANDIDATES WHO ARE ESPOUSING SOME OF THESE MORE EXTREME MEDS?

>> THERE IS A NUMBER, ACTUALLY.

WE CHECKED THROUGH ALL 41 CANDIDATES WHO ARE RUNNING OR ARE REGISTERED TO RUN AND A NUMBER OF THEM HAVE COMMENTS THAT ARE SURPRISING AND EXTREME CANDIDATES LIKE IAN SMITH FROM THE THIRD DISTRICT SAYING THAT COVID IS NOT REALLY A PROBLEM AS MUCH AS LOW TESTOSTERONE IS.

THERE ARE OTHER CANDIDATES WHO DENY LIKE JOHN BARKER FROM THE SECOND DISTRICT DENYING SOME BREAKING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE REALITY OF GREEN VISION, FOR EXAMPLE, ABOUT THE MOTIVATION FOR UKRAINIAN, THE UKRAINIAN INVESTIGATION.

BACK EXPLAINED THAT A BIT BECAUSE JOHN BARKER IS SAYING THAT THE ATTACKS ON UKRAINE ARE ACTUALLY TARGETING THESE MONEY-LAUNDERING SITES THAT WERE HILLARY CLINTON AND JOE BIDEN SITES.

ACT THE FUNNY THING ABOUT THAT, WHEN I ASKED HIM ABOUT THAT, HE SAID HE DIDN'T SAY IT THEN, THAT HE COULD NOT FIND THE TWEET AND HE COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT SO THAT IS KIND OF REALLY WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I TALKED TO A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE.

THEY SORT OF SOP AND WHAT THEY ARE SAYING AND THEY WANTED TO EXPLAIN THEMSELVES A LITTLE BIT MORE AND THEY TALKED ABOUT THE THEATRICALITY OF TWITTER AND FACEBOOK AND HOW IT IS USED TO GET ATTENTION IN THESE DAYS.

AT WE HAVE BILLY AND THE KNIGHTS TALKING ABOUT WHITE NATIONALISM NOT EXISTING IN CLIMATE CHANGE DOES NOT EXIST?

>> BILLY TAMPA IS VERY OUTSPOKEN.

HE IS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAN AND HE FEELS THAT HIS STATUS AS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAN AND SOMEONE WHO HAS LIVED IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY, HE CAN SAY THAT THIS DOESN'T EXIST.

THIS IS HIS IDEA THAT BLACKS HAVE HAD OPPORTUNITIES.

BLACKS HAVE HAD OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AND THAT THIS COUNTRY HAS GIVEN THEM OPPORTUNITIES AND HE SAID IF YOU CALL YOURSELF A VICTIM, THEN YOU ARE A VICTIM.

SO THAT IS THE POINT OF VIEW.

>> ARE THESE MESSAGES RESONATING OR THE THEATRICS OF TWITTER AND JUST GET THE ATTENTION AND MAYBE TONE DOWN THE MESSAGE.

>> I THINK THE MESSAGES, THE PARTY HAS MOVED TO THE RIGHT.

YOU COULD SEE IT IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA FEED.

YOU COULD SEE IT WITH THE ELECTIONS OF SO MANY PEOPLE LAST YEAR IN THE LEGISLATIVE RACES.

I THINK A LOT OF CANDIDATES ABSOLUTELY DO BELIEVE THIS AND THEY FOUND A KIND OF RHETORIC FROM THE RIGHT THAT OLD- FASHIONED CONSERVATIVES OR TRADITIONAL CONSERVATIVES WOULD NOT EVEN TOUCH.

ACT THAT IS ABOUT ALL THE TIME WE HAVE BUT THANK YOU FOR ADDING A LITTLE COLOR TO THIS FOR US.

>>> THE STATE HAS BEEN SLOW TO LAUNCH A RECREATIONAL CANNABIS MARKETPLACE BUT THAT IS NOT STOPPING INDUSTRY LEADERS FROM LINING UP THEIR WORKERS.

AFTER UNIVERSITY HELD A CANNABIS CAREER FAIR EARLIER THIS WEEK WHERE SANTANA GOT A CHANCE TO SEE WHAT JOBS COULD SOON OPEN UP ONCE THIS INDUSTRY FINALLY GETS OFF THE GROUND.

AFTER I BROUGHT MY LAPTOP AND MY COMPUTER BAG AND MY RESUMES.

>> Reporter: JUSTIN NOLAN IS ONE OF ABOUT 300 PEOPLE THAT ATTENDED THE SCHOOLS WITH ANIMAL CANNABIS CAREER FAIR AND BUSINESS EXPO.

THE EVENT COMES AS A STATE RECREATIONAL MARKET CONTINUES TO BE ON HOLD WITH NO START DATE ANNOUNCED.

ON THE ROUNDTABLE, THE CANNABIS'S REGULATORY CHAIR SAYS A RUSHED LAUNCH COULD COME WITH CONSEQUENCES.

ACT RIGHT?

NOT VERY INTENTIONAL AND DELIBERATE WITH HOW WE LAUNCH OUR MARKET HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

WE COULD SEE SUPPLY FRACTIONS AS WELL.

WE COULD SEE PATIENTS LOSING ACCESS TO THE MEDICINE NOT TO MENTION LONG LINES AND HEAVY TRAFFIC IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE HOLDUP, THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW JERSEY CANNABIS BUSINESS ASSOCIATION AND THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER, SCOTT RUCKER, REMINDING ATTENDEES TO REMAIN OPTIMISTIC AND PATIENT.

ACT THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT FOR OUR SPACE HEATER IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

I WILL JUST TELL YOU, IN VIEW OF THIS JOURNEY, YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO END UP.

THE POSITIVE THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS.

EMBRACE THE CHANGE THAT IS ABOUT TO OCCUR.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE JOBS RANGE FROM GROWER TO CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

ROB IN THE CANNABIS STUDIES DEPARTMENT SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN MAKING THEIR MARK IN THE INDUSTRY TO NETWORK AT CAREER FAIRS LIKE THIS.

BACK TO BIG JOBS AND CANNABIS ARE BOOMING NOT JUST IN NEW JERSEY BUT ACROSS THE NATION.

THERE IS A REPORT THAT SAYS WE HAVE EXCEEDED 420,000 FULL-TIME CANNABIS JOBS.

>> Reporter: JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT STUDENTS I SPOKE WITH SAID THEY PLAN TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.

AT I BROUGHT MY RESUME AND I BROUGHT MY KNOWLEDGE OF CULTIVATION BECAUSE I HAVE MY OWN GARDEN.

KNOWLEDGE OF CANNABIS, AS WELL.

I WANT TO GET INTO THE INDUSTRY.

>> Reporter: DID YOU EVER THINK YOU WOULD BE IN A CAREER LIKE THIS?

>> IF YOU TOLD ME SIX YEARS AGO, NO.

BUT SINCE EVERYTHING IS BECOMING LEGAL AND EVERYTHING, I AM DEFINITELY EXCITED.

>> Reporter: ALMOST SIX COMMUNITY COLLEGES ACROSS THE STATE, WE PROVIDE ENTRY-LEVEL TRAINING FOR THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO GET A PLANT TOUCHING JOB, WORKING IN A CULTIVATION SITE, MANUFACTURING FACILITY, WE ARE THE PROGRAM FOR YOU.

FIVE MODULES, FIVE NIGHTS, THREE HOURS ANNUALLY WITH A CERTIFICATION FROM THE CORRESPONDING COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

THE CLASS IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

YOU DON'T REALLY NEED TO HAVE A COLLEGE DEGREE.

EVEN A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA TO WORK IN THE INDUSTRY.

WE ARE ALL GOING TO BECOME OPERATIONAL WITHIN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR.

THOSE BUSINESSES ARE ALL GOING TO BE HIRING SO ABSOLUTELY, NOW IS THE TIME TO PREPARE.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR EMPLOYEES TO WORK FOR US IN OUR CANNABIS DISPENSARY IN NEW JERSEY OR WHEREVER WE WILL BE.

OF COURSE, WE PLAN TO START IN NEW BRUNSWICK AND ELSEWHERE BUT WE NEED YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GET INTO THIS INDUSTRY.

IT IS A FANTASTIC INDUSTRY TO GET INTO.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO THE 20 VENDORS ON SITE OFFERING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE JOB BEAR ALSO OFFERED LEGAL GUIDANCE FOR THOSE WANTING ADVICE ON LICENSING AND EXPUNGEMENT FREE OF CHARGE.

ACT THE COURT SAID THERE WERE ABOUT 1 MILLION CHARGES IN 2018.

SINCE THEN, THEY HAVE EXPUNGED OR DISMISSED ABOUT HALF 1 MILLION WHICH STILL MEANS THERE IS ANOTHER HALF 1 MILLION OUT THERE THAT NEED TO BE CLEARED UP.

THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT I'M OUT THERE LOOKING FOR, TODAY, AND HELPING PEOPLE TO TRY TO FIND AND TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THEY DID GET THE AUTOMATIC EXPUNGEMENT BECAUSE THEY ALSO DID NOT TELL YOU WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE AUTOMATICALLY EXPUNGED.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE DELAY IN LAUNCHING THE INDUSTRY, EVERYONE I SPOKE WITH SAID THEY REMAIN EXCITED, OPTIMISTIC AND READY FOR THE FUTURE OF CANNABIS IN THE STATE.

RAVEN SANTANA.

THE POSSIBLE INFUSION OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR STRUGGLING RESTAURANTS BUT THE BILL FACES A TOUGH TEST IN THE SENATE RHONDA SHEPLER HAS THE DETAILS AND TODAY'S HEADLINES.

RHONDA, WHO COULD BENEFIT FROM THIS FINANCIAL SUPPORT?

>> JOANNA, MANY NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANTS STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

NOW, THOSE RESTAURANTS AND OTHER SMALL BUSINESSES WHICH SUFFERED FINANCIAL LOSSES WOULD GET ADDITIONAL FEDERAL MONEY UNDER A BILL APPROVED BY THE HOUSE.

THE LEGISLATION PROVIDES ANOTHER $55 BILLION IN ASSISTANCE WITH MOST OF THE MONEY GOING INTO THE RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION FUND.

NEARLY 300,000 RESTAURANTS AND BARS APPLIED FOR FUNDING THROUGH THAT POPULAR GRANT PROGRAM BUT ONLY ABOUT ONE THIRD RECEIVED ANY MONEY BUT THE FATE OF THIS BILL IS UNCLEAR AS IT HEADS TO THE SENATE.

CONCERNS BEING RAISED ABOUT THE US ECONOMY IN THE PAST TWO DAYS, ANALYSTS SAY TWO OF THE WORLD'S BIGGEST INVESTMENT BANKS HAVE WARNED ABOUT AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN.

DEUTSCHE BANK SAYS IT EXPECTS A RECESSION IN THE U.S. NEXT YEAR CITING THE FEDERAL RESERVE'S PLAN TO AGGRESSIVELY RAISE INTEREST RATES TO TRY TO DEAL WITH INFLATION.

THAT REPORT WAS FOLLOWED BY BANK OF AMERICA DECLARING THAT A RECESSION SHOCK IS COMING AND THAT THE MACROECONOMIC PICTURE IS DETERIORATING FAST.

THAT HIRING IS ALREADY UNDERWAY FOR THE WIND COURT BEING BUILT IN SALEM COUNTY.

THE PORT WILL SUPPORT NEW JERSEY'S EMERGING OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY.

ACCORDING TO THE STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, ABOUT 50 WORKERS WERE EMPLOYED THERE BY MID-MARCH AND THAT IS EXPECTED TO GO UP TO ABOUT 200 AS CONSTRUCTION PICKS UP TO LEARN MORE, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

>>> WITH SPRING HERE AND SOME ARE NOT FAR BEHIND, BUSINESSES CONNECTED TO TOURISM ARE GEARING UP TO WELCOME VISITORS AND THAT INCLUDES THE GARDEN STATE WHILE GROWERS ASSOCIATION WHICH RECENTLY NAMED A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

KEVON PERRY SAYS THE ORGANIZATION IS LAUNCHING A NEW CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE NEW JERSEY'S LINES AND AGRI-TOURISM IN NEW JERSEY.

>> PUTTING THE GARDEN BACK INTO THE GARDEN STATE AND LETTING EVERYONE KNOW THIS IS NOT AGRI- TOURISM.

MAKE A POWERHOUSE WHEN IT COMES TO THE ECONOMY.

>> HERE IS A CHECK ON TODAY'S TRADING FROM WALL STREET.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

'S BACK SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY MARTIN TUBMAN SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AT MIT OFFERING NEW JERSEY'S FIRST BACHELORS OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN PEN TECH, BUSINESS FOCUSED, TECHNOLOGY DRIVEN.

ACT MAKE SURE YOU JOIN RHONDA SHEPLER FOR NJ BUSINESSWEEK THIS WEEKEND WITH A LOOK AT HOW THE STATE PLANS TO BOOST THIS YEAR'S SUMMER TOURISM FROM THE WIND INDUSTRY TO THE WAR HISTORY, WATCH IT ON AN JTB AT SATURDAY AT 5:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:30.

I COULD TAUNT YOU TODAY, PRESIDENT BIDEN CALLED IT A MOMENT OF REAL CHANGE IN AMERICAN HISTORY AS HE AND VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS HONOR JACKSON ON THE WHITE HOUSE LAWN.

HARRIS SAID BROWN WILL INSPIRE GENERATIONS OF WOMEN TO COME.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER SPOKE WITH YOUNG STUDENTS AND FEMALE LEADERS FROM NEW JERSEY'S COMMUNITY LIKE CONGRESSWOMAN BODY BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN ON WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO SET AND WATCHED JACKSON GO THROUGH THE GRUELING PROCESS AND WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE A WOMAN OF COLOR ON THE HIGHEST COURT IN THE LAND.

ACT THE PATH WAS CLEARED FOR ME SO THAT I MIGHT RISE TO THIS OCCASION.

AND IN THE POETIC WORDS OF DR. ANGELO, I DO SO NOW WHILE BRINGING THE GIFTS MY ANCESTORS GAVE.

[ CHEERING & APPLAUSE ] I --I AM THE DREAM AND THE HOPE OF THE SLAVES.

>> DREAMS AND HOPES, KETANJI BROWN JACKSON WILL NOW USE TO INSPIRE CALLOUS WOMEN OF COLOR AS SHE PREPARES TO BE THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO SIT ON THE US SUPREME COURT.

ACT IT SHOWS ANYONE, IT DOESN'T MATTER THE COLOR OF YOUR SKIN OR GENDER THAT IF YOU TRY, ANYONE CAN BE WHO THEY WANT.

>> ON THIS MODE, THE AYES ARE 53.

THE NAMES ARE 47 AND THIS NOMINATION IS CONFIRMED.

ACT THREE REPUBLICANS JOIN ALL DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE TO MAKE YESTERDAY'S HISTORIC VOTE POSSIBLE.

I AM THRILLED THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS GOING TO HAVE THIS BRILLIANT ASSOCIATE JUSTICE ON THE SUPREME COURT AND SHE HAPPENS TO LOOK LIKE ME!

>> NOW WE HAVE A JUSTICE WHOSE EXPERIENCES I WOULD ARGUE ARE MORE LIKE LIKELY TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE COMPLEXITIES OF HUMAN NATURE AND THE SPECTRUM OF EXPERIENCE THAT MAKES UP OUR NATION.

ACT BUT THE ROADS OF CONFIRMATION WERE NOT EASY.

JACKSON ENDURED SEVERAL DAYS OF INTENSE QUESTIONING FROM SOME SENATORS, MANY OF WHICH WERE CONSIDERED TO BE INAPPROPRIATE AND OFFENSIVE.

>> WATCHING THE WAY IN WHICH SHE HAD TO, YOU KNOW, TAKE A LOT OF THAT ABUSE BECAUSE OF WHERE SHE WAS TRYING TO GET TO, WHAT THE EXPECTATIONS ARE, BECAUSE THE RULES ARE DIFFERENT FOR HER.

>> UNWRITTEN RULES, KIMBERLY HUTCHINSON, DEAN PROFESSOR OF LAW SAYS BLACK WOMEN HAVE UNFORTUNATELY ENDURED FOR YEARS.

ACT YOU GET TO A POINT WHERE IT IS ALMOST 2nd NATURE.

TO SORT OF KNOW, HERE IS THE THING THAT IS PLAYING OUT THAT IS A REAL PROBLEM.

I AM NOT IN THE POSITION TO SORT OF TREAT THIS PERSON THE WAY THEY DESERVE TO BE TREATED AND SO I AM GOING TO STAY PROFESSIONAL.

>> I THINK ABOUT YOUNGER WOMEN WHO HAVE NOT HAD A LIFETIME OF THOSE KINDS OF EXPERIENCES.

AND SO, WHEN THEY WATCH AN EXCHANGE LIKE THAT OR WHEN THEY WATCH SOMEBODY LIKE JUSTICE JACKSON WHO WOULD AGAIN, IF ANYTHING, OVERQUALIFIED FOR THE SHOES THAT SHE IS STEPPING INTO AND THEY SEE HOW SHE GETS TREATED, I WORRIED THAT THERE WILL BE YOUNG WOMEN, YOUNG BLACK AND BROWN WOMEN IN PARTICULAR WHO SAY, WHY WOULD I WANT TO PUT MYSELF THROUGH THAT?

>> SEEN JACKSON RISE TO THE TOP OF HER PROFESSION DESPITE SOME TRYING TO PREVENT HER A SEAT ON THE SUPREME COURT IS MORE THAN INSPIRING.

BACK IT FEELS LIKE POWER TO EVERY INDIVIDUAL BLACK KID BECAUSE GROWING UP, I NEVER GOT TO SEE THAT.

GROWING UP, WHEN I SAW A BLACK PERSON, IT WAS ON THE NEWS, RIGHT?

AND IT WASN'T ALWAYS FOR SOMETHING GOOD.

MOST OF THE TIME, IT WASN'T FOR SOMETHING GOOD.

BUT TO SEE A BLACK WOMAN, SOMEONE WE CONSIDER A MINORITY IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE PLACE OF POWER THAT SHE IS, IT LOOKS LIKE THE POWER, THE JUSTICE IS FINALLY BACK IN OUR HANDS.

ACT JUSTICE THAT KETANJI BROWN JACKSON BELLS WILL BE FAIR WHEN SHE TAKES HER SEAT ON THE BENCH AND HER PLACE IN HISTORY, LATER THIS YEAR.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM ROSE COOPER.

ACT THAT DOES IT FOR US, TONIGHT.

DON'T FORGET TO CATCH UP ON ALL OF THE OTHER POLITICAL HEADLINES THIS WEEK, THE ROUNDTABLE SATURDAY AT SIX IBM AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. ALSO TUNE INTO CHECKBOX WITH DAVID GOING ONE-ON-ONE WITH VOLKER ABOUT THE WORLD WORDS OVER NEWLY CONFIRM SUPREME COURT JUSTICE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON, THE PUSH TO CANCEL STUDENT LOANS AND THE FIGHT AHEAD FOR SOME DEMOCRATS IN THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

THAT IS SATURDAY AT 6:30 PM AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:30 A.M.

BOTH ON NJ PBS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US THIS WEEK.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY.

IN JM INSURANCE GROUP SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.